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Kyoto: Things To See & Do
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Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station is the heart and life
of the city, which also happens to be one of the city's major
tourist attractions. This futuristic-looking building is also
Japan's second-largest station building after Nagoya, with
soaring glass atriums, escalators going up to a rooftop
observatory, and open stages where free concerts and other
events could be held, as well as a shopping centres, restaurants
and an games arcade.
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Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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None specified -
opening times vary from one establishment to another. |
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Pricing:
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Free to enter
the station. |
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More
Info:
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Tel:
Kyoto City Tourist
Information ( 2nd
floor - near the Karasuma exit) Tel: 075 3436655, or
the Tourist Information Center (TIC) (across from the
Karasuma exit in the Kyoto Tower Building) Tel: 075 3715649. |
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Getting
Here:
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Location:
Central Kyoto, near the Kyoto Tower. |
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Nijo Castle
This castle
was built by, and the home of, the Tokugawa's shogun, Ieyasu, in
the 17th century. The main building, Ninomaru Palace, has 33
rooms and the castle's most interesting features are its
floorboards called the `nightingale floors', which will creak
when trod upon, hence useful to assess the movements of an enemy
during those times.
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Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Daily, 8:45am-5pm (entrance
must be made before 4pm) |
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Pricing:
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Adults: JPY
600, Students: JPY 350,
Children: JPY 200. Audio guide JPY 500 extra. |
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More
Info:
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Tel:
075
8410096. No photos allowed. |
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Getting
Here:
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Location:
On the corner of Horikawa Dori
and Nijo Dori, Central Kyoto; Subway: Nijojo-mae Station (1
min.), Bus: 9, 12, 50, or 101 to Nijojo-mae (1 min.) |
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Kiyomizudera Temple
This
temple, which means `Temple of Pure Water', is one of the
most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto, with cherry
blossoms blooming in its garden during spring, providing a
scenic atmosphere. Built in 798 and located at a historic
hillside, the temple is a Kyoto's landmark and a must-see
attraction. The main hall is built on a huge wooden terrace
which provides a good view of the city, and behind the hall
is the Shinto Shrine, popular with young people seeking to
find suitable life partners. The shrine is believed to be
the dwelling of the God of Love & Matchmaking; on the
grounds of the shrine lay 2 `Love Fortune-Telling' stones
placed approximately 9 metres apart, whereby it is believed
that if one were to walk from one stone to the other with
one's eyes closed, one's
love wishes will be granted by
the gods.
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Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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6am-6pm, daily;
Jishu Shrine closes at 5pm.
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Pricing:
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Adults: JPY 300, Children 7-15:
JPY 200
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More
Info:
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Tel: +81 075 551 1234 Website:
www.kiyomizudera.or.jp
Jishu Shrine - Tel: 075 5412097 |
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Getting
Here:
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Location:
1-294
Kiyomizudera, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0862 Japan;
Bus: 80,
100, 202, 206, or 207 to Gojo-zaka (10 min.) |
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Kinkakuji (The Temple of
The Golden Pavillion)
The inspiration for the Ginkakuji
Temple (The Temple of The Silver Pavilion), it was built in the
14th century as a retirement place for Shogun Ashikaga
Yoshimitsu, shamelessly living in luxury while the rest of the
country suffered. It features a three-storey pavillion covered
in gold leaf with a roof topped by a bronze phoenix.
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Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Daily, 9am-5pm |
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Pricing:
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Adults: JPY 400, Children: JPY
300.
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More
Info:
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Tel:
075
4610013 |
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Getting
Here:
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Location:
Kinkakuji-cho, Northern Kyoto;
Bus: 101, 102, 204, or 205 to Kinkakuji-michi (3 min.) |
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Kyoto National Museum
Housed in a French baroque-style
building which was constructed in 1897, this museum's exhibits
changes from time to time, featuring objet d'art and many
treasures, once belonging Kyoto's temples and the imperial
court. Amongst the displays are Japanese ceramics, sculptures,
paintings, costumes and lacquerwares and other priceless ancient
treasures.
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Details
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Opening
Hrs:
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Tue-Sun: 9:30am-5pm
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Pricing:
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Adults: JPY 420, Students: JPY
130. Free on the 2nd and 4th Sat of the month.
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More
Info:
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Tel: 075 5411151 Website:
www.kyohaku.go.jp |
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Getting
Here:
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Location:
527 Chaya-machi, across the
street from Sanjusangendo Hall, Eastern Kyoto; Bus: 100,
206, or 208 to Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae (1 min.) |
Book
Kyoto Hotels here
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